Thanks to the Elkins Tree Board and City Councilwoman Nanci Bross-Fregonara, we will offer another series of three free Tree Talks at Kump Education Center.

These lectures have been sponsored by Appalachian Forest National Heritage grants, and our local, nature-loving audience is always enthusiastic.  Learning about natural science is one of the educational purposes of Kump Center.

On March 4, Appalachian Biologist, Lacy Rucker presented the first 2026 Tree Talk at Kump Center.  

She explained why the Appalachian Mountains are such a “Hot Spot” for biodiversity, and she described the history of the Cheat Mountain Salamander and its competition with other salamander species.

Trees are not the only living things that we value in our West Virginia forests. Trees help to nurture other wonderful creatures such as salamanders that share our environment. Trees like the red spruce that grew on Cheat Mountain have been destroyed to build businesses, houses, and schools.

A local carpenter told me that even the Wright brothers wanted Randolph County spruce for building their airplanes.

When people get greedy, other creatures may suffer. In their rush to harvest trees, timber companies cut down more trees than they could move out of the forest to sell.

When droughts came, many trees rotted in dry riverbeds because the water was too low to transport logs. Terrific fires burned over the ancient forest area and much wildlife could not survive. After lumbermen cut down the Red Spruce forest, Cheat Mountain Salamanders were among the critters who lost their habitat.

Some reasonable folks may think that a salamander is not worth worrying about too much. However, our nature-loving West Virginia scientists have discovered that these tiny amphibians have superpowers.

The CM Salamanders can grow back amputated arms and legs in a matter of months. Some salamanders may live as long as ten years. We have super-hero salamanders right here in Randolph County.

If we can find a way to help people regenerate limbs and/or internal organs, we may save human lives and make them much happier too.  

If you missed the Tree Talk I, check our website and see more outdoor learning opportunities below:

Screentime Awareness Week:

Monday -Wednesday- Friday from 3-5 p.m.

March 16-18-20         

We will have indoor options in case of rain. The events will feature outdoor activities: scavenger hunts, arboretum walks, and wetland exploration.

Tree Talk II: Wednesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. “Multi-Generational Wonder and Grow.”

Tree Talk III: Wednesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. “Forest Invasives Wreak Woodland Havoc.”